- Flight Disruptions
- Strong winds trigger SFO ground delay and disrupt 460 flights
Strong winds trigger SFO ground delay and disrupt 460 flights
Check how much the airline owes you.
It's free and takes 2 minutes.
Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on 29 May 2026
460
Affected flights
4
Affected airports
5
Affected airlines
Disruption overview
Strong easterly winds forced the FAA to slow arrivals into San Francisco International Airport on 28 May 2026, triggering a ground-delay program for flights headed to SFO from the contiguous United States, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. The slowdown cut the airport's arrival rate to 25 flights per hour and was scheduled to remain in place until 12:59 am on 29 May 2026. By mid-afternoon, at least 460 flights had been disrupted, including 413 delays and 47 cancellations. Because the disruption was caused by weather, compensation is usually unlikely, but airlines should still provide care and assistance during long delays and offer rebooking or refunds when needed.
Disruption details
Strong easterly winds triggered an FAA ground-delay program for flights heading to San Francisco International Airport on 28 May 2026, disrupting at least 460 flights by mid-afternoon.
For passengers, this meant long waits before takeoff. Instead of circling in the air, flights bound for SFO were held at their departure airports.
The program covered flights leaving the contiguous United States, as well as services from Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Edmonton International Airport. That meant passengers across North America were dealing with delays before departure.
SFO normally uses a runway setup that allows more arrivals. Strong easterly winds forced the airport to move away from that pattern, so the FAA cut the arrival rate to 25 flights per hour. The delay program was scheduled to stay in place until 12:59 am on 29 May 2026.
By mid-afternoon, the disruption had already reached:
SFO recorded 413 delayed flights.
SFO recorded 47 canceled flights.
Average delays for inbound flights reached 164 minutes, with an advisory maximum assigned delay of 598 minutes.
United Airlines, SFO's largest carrier, accounted for the biggest share of delays, while SkyWest Airlines logged the most cancellations. Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines also saw major disruption to their schedules.
Thursday's slowdown added to pressure that has been building at SFO this spring. A major runway repaving project and new federal rules on spacing between arriving aircraft had already reduced the airport's peak arrival capacity from 54 to 36 flights per hour.
Airport officials and the FAA said wind was the sole cause of the disruption. Operations were expected to improve once overnight winds eased and the airport could return to its standard runway configuration.
If your flight was affected, it's understandable to feel frustrated. Because this disruption was caused by bad weather, compensation is usually unlikely under EC 261 for trips covered by that rule.
Although compensation is unlikely here, that doesn't mean you're without support. Airlines should still provide care and assistance during long delays, including food and refreshments, and if your journey is canceled, they should offer rebooking or a refund. If the delay runs overnight, they should also provide accommodation and transportation.
If you'd like to understand what may apply to your trip, AirHelp's free flight checker is a simple place to start.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.
Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.
Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour. No compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, as this appears to be.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Weather issue
Status
Current disruption
Compensation
Not eligible for compensation
Flights affected
460
Airlines affected
United Airlines, Skywest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines
Airports affected
San Francisco International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Edmonton International Airport
Cities affected
San Francisco, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton
Countries affected
United States, Canada
Start date
2026-05-28
End date
2026-05-29
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
29 May 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
